Stoke’s trip to Nottingham Forest this weekend is their third in what we might call the Midland Mini League.

And coach Kevin Phillips, who knows a wee bit about football in the Midlands, agrees that whoever finishes top, or even top two, of that mini league might just be guaranteeing themselves promotion.

Phillips, who once played for Aston Villa, West Brom and Birmingham, then coached at Derby before arriving at Stoke, says: “There’s some good teams in the Midlands, aren’t the? Derby are flying with a good squad. Certainly on paper our squad looks strong and on our day we are a match for anyone.

Read More

“Forest are coming strong. Birmingham are on a hell of a run at the moment, Garry (Monk) has got them playing really well. West Brom have tailed off just a little bit, but yes, there’s some good clubs and big clubs in the Midlands.

“Finish top of that mini league and it could certainly see you in the play-offs... but ultimately we want to chase that top two.”

Kevin Phillips (left) is now working for his sixth Midland club (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Stoke haven’t made the best of starts in the mini league after losing at West Brom and at home to Birmingham, so they need a result at Forest this weekend if they want any regional bragging rights sooner rather than later.

The current Midlands Mini League reads:

Played/ Pts

1) Derby: 2/6

2) Birmingham: 4/ 5

3) West Brom: 4/ 5

4) Forest: 2/2

5) Aston Villa: 0/0

6) STOKE CITY 2/0

Derby’s points have come from a 4-1 romp at West Brom and last week’s home win over Birmingham, while this weekend sees Aston Villa visit before Frank Lampard brings his side to Stoke City on the 28th.

Villa have yet to play a Midlands derby, but are about to make up for lost time as they follow this weekend’s trip to Derby with back-to-back home games against Birmingham and Forest.

The City Ground... scene of the latest Midland derby this weekend (Image: PA)

As for Forest, their two derbies thus far have both been at the City Ground and both ended in draws, against the Baggies and the Blues.

Given that all six Midland clubs have top-six ambitions, including Birmingham now they have worked their way up to 10th after kicking off with low expectations, the remaining 23 Midland derbies between now and the end of the season promise to go a heck of a long way towards shaping the table which really counts.